Steve'sDigicams

Andy49 · Nov 1, 2009, 1:49 AM

With my new DSLR acquisition consisting of several lenses, camera and the camera bag, what kind of security procedure I may encounter at an airport. In the past, I had point and shoot and that was a non issue. I know that I have to take out my laptop computer and put it in a separate container while going through the airport security. Any such requirements for my camera gear? Also, do the airline count it as an extra carry on?

mtclimber · Nov 2, 2009, 7:05 PM

Andy-

Yes, the airline counts your camera bag as one of your two carry-ons. While you do have to pull out lap tops, usually the only question you are asked is if you are carrying a video recorder.

Sarah Joyce

TCav · Nov 2, 2009, 8:24 PM

Do NOT check your camera bag!!!

Photo 5 · Nov 2, 2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCav

Do NOT check your camera bag!!!

What TCav says x 100.

dave

SharpShotGal · Nov 2, 2009, 11:00 PM

When I went down to a graduation in AZ I took only two bags and one was just the two cameras I had... I did not get asked then but I am sure they have changed it all...for that was some 19 years ago

Photo 5 · Nov 2, 2009, 11:51 PM

Last year I flow Richmond to Atlanta with one camera bag (NOVA AW3) and a carry-on rolling suite case. They asked me if I had a video camera in the bag and that was it. My A200 with lens attached, extra memory cards, 2 extra batteries and the wolverine device went without any any issues. The camera bag went under the seat and the suite case went overhead.

dave

mtclimber · Nov 3, 2009, 12:29 PM

That, Dave, is just about exactly how the Security Drill goes-

You should always take your camer bag on board with you, as a carry-on piece. You will get the video camera question, but other than that it is all very straight forward, and easy to do.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce

JohnG · Nov 4, 2009, 9:42 AM

Just to add a couple things. First, the reason you never want to check camera equipment is pretty much every major airline will refuse to reimburse you for any valuable item - camera, jewelry, etc. worth stealing. So you never want to check valuables of any kind. And, of course, there's the rough handling of luggage.

Just be sure that any camera bag you take easily fits size restrictions. This is more of an issue on commuter flights actually. A camer bag that fits the general restrictions may be too big for the smaller bins on commuter flights and you end up having to gate check it (get's tagged at the gate and they throw it into cargo like they do strollers and such - again giving more opportunity for damage and theft).

But I routinely fly with my camera backpack with body and numerous lenses and it's no issue with security whatsoever.

Nov 1, 2009, 1:49 AM	#1
Andy49 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8	Travel With my new DSLR acquisition consisting of several lenses, camera and the camera bag, what kind of security procedure I may encounter at an airport. In the past, I had point and shoot and that was a non issue. I know that I have to take out my laptop computer and put it in a separate container while going through the airport security. Any such requirements for my camera gear? Also, do the airline count it as an extra carry on?

Nov 2, 2009, 8:24 PM	#3
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 5,583	*Do NOT check your camera bag!!!* __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'.

Steve'sDigicams

Recent Camera Reviews

Most Active Forums

Most Popular Deals

Latest Feature Articles

Nov 2, 2009, 7:05 PM	#2
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 10,692	Andy- Yes, the airline counts your camera bag as one of your two carry-ons. While you do have to pull out lap tops, usually the only question you are asked is if you are carrying a video recorder. Sarah Joyce

Nov 2, 2009, 11:00 PM	#5
SharpShotGal Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kitsap Penninsula, Washington State Posts: 254	When I went down to a graduation in AZ I took only two bags and one was just the two cameras I had... I did not get asked then but I am sure they have changed it all...for that was some 19 years ago

Nov 2, 2009, 11:51 PM	#6
Photo 5 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Virginia Area Posts: 779	Last year I flow Richmond to Atlanta with one camera bag (NOVA AW3) and a carry-on rolling suite case. They asked me if I had a video camera in the bag and that was it. My A200 with lens attached, extra memory cards, 2 extra batteries and the wolverine device went without any any issues. The camera bag went under the seat and the suite case went overhead. dave

Nov 3, 2009, 12:29 PM	#7
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 10,692	That, Dave, is just about exactly how the Security Drill goes- You should always take your camer bag on board with you, as a carry-on piece. You will get the video camera question, but other than that it is all very straight forward, and easy to do. Have a great day. Sarah Joyce

Nov 4, 2009, 9:42 AM	#8
JohnG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5,949	Just to add a couple things. First, the reason you never want to check camera equipment is pretty much every major airline will refuse to reimburse you for any valuable item - camera, jewelry, etc. worth stealing. So you never want to check valuables of any kind. And, of course, there's the rough handling of luggage. Just be sure that any camera bag you take easily fits size restrictions. This is more of an issue on commuter flights actually. A camer bag that fits the general restrictions may be too big for the smaller bins on commuter flights and you end up having to gate check it (get's tagged at the gate and they throw it into cargo like they do strollers and such - again giving more opportunity for damage and theft). But I routinely fly with my camera backpack with body and numerous lenses and it's no issue with security whatsoever.